Device for opening envelopes



(No Model.)

J. H. PAIGE.

DEVICE FOR OPENING ENVELOPES.

No. 337,985. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

IIVVEAITOI? UNITED STATES PATENT Erica.

JAMES H. PAIGE, OF SALIDA, COLORADO.

DEVICE FOR OPENING ENVELOPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.337,985, dated March 16, 1886.

A pplicatiou filed February 4,1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. PAIGE, of Salida, in the county of Ohaifee and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Opening Envelopes, &c.; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for opening envelopes,wafers, paperwrappers, 8:0.

The annoyance caused by accidentally mutilating a portion of the written contents of a letter or paper in opening the envelope by tearing the end off, especially when the letter fits snugly therein, and the liability to have no cutter at hand at the moment when it is desirable to open the letter,have induced inventors to provide some device by which an envelope maybe quickly and neatly opened, and which will always be at hand. Hitherto this has been accomplished by gluing a thread or string into the crease at the end or side of an envelope, leaving a projecting end; by securing a string in the crease at the end of the envelope and attaching paper clips on the outside of the envelope at each col'ner to cover the ends of the string; by weakening one corner of the envelope by a diagonal line of perforations and securing a string in the crease at the end of the envelope, with its free end concealed in the weakened portion, and by securing a string in the crease at the end of the envelope and providing the same with knots to engage the thumb and finger when it is desired to open it. In the first instance the liability of gluing the end of the envelope together in securing the string or thread therein renders the method objectionable, as the cutting of the extreme end when the glue has taken effect a short distance back therefrom fails to afford free access to the contents. In the second instance, the clips on the outside of the envelope destroy the neat appearance of the envelope, while the constructions in the last two instances are subjectto the objections named with reference to both the foregoing.

The object of my present invention is to provide a device for opening envelopes,wrappers, &c., which shall be constructed separa- Serial l\'o 154,907. (No modrl.)

my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will behereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View of the blank; Fig. 2, the same with the string secured thereto; Fig. the same socured in the end of an envelope; Fig. 4, the envelope sealed, and Fig. the end partially cut.

A represents the blank. It consists of a narrow strip of paper provided at one end with the extended lip a, adapted to fold over onto itself and retain the end of the string or thread B securelytherein. The opposite end, a, of the blank A is T-shaped, as shown, one branch of the crossbar of the T being adapted to be folded over onto the blank, glued thereto, and hold the free end of the stringBin the bite.

The blank is preferably weakened by the tongue, which serves to hold the string in po sition, or by one or more cuts, b, on the line of the bite, .to allow the string an easy escape therefrom when drawn outwardly, as in the B projects slightly beyond the end of the blanlZ A, to afford a hold for the thumb and finger processofopening. The free end of the string when it is desired to open the envelope. The opening device as thus constructed is secured in the end of an envelope by aslight quantity of suitable glue applied either to the blank or to the envelope, the free end of the string B projecting just far enough at the corner to afford a hold.

The string or thread B may be cotton, linen, or silk, as found most convenient; or a fine wire might answer the purpose. 4

The device operates easily, and may be manufactured at a slight initial cost.

Itis evident that blanks of other shapes than that described might be successfully employed to secure the string; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the form described, but reserve the privilege of making such changes as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

pers, 850., consisting essentially, of a string 15 firmly secured at one end toa paper blank and secured at its opposite end to the blank in an easily-detachable manner, the blank wi th the string attached thereto being adapted to be secured within an envelope or wrapper, 20 substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribin g. Witnesses.

JAMES H. PAIGE. Witnesses:

T. O. MoDEvrTT, O. W. ALWARD. 

